Workplace (HR-500)

HR-519 Consensual Amorous Relationships

Summary

The University of Missouri promotes an atmosphere of professionalism based on mutual trust and respect. The integrity of interaction among faculty, staff and students must not be compromised. Consensual amorous relationships are prohibited in certain instances as outlined below.

Conduct

Consensual amorous relationships between members of the University community are prohibited when one participant has direct evaluative or supervisory authority over the other because such relationships create an inherent conflict of interest. Examples of such relationships that are prohibited include, but are not limited to, employee (faculty, staff or student)/student and supervisor (faculty, staff or student)/subordinate, when those relationships involve direct evaluative or supervisory authority. In such cases, the individual in the evaluative or supervisory position has an obligation to disclose the consensual amorous relationship to his or her administrative superior and to cooperate with the administrative superior in removing himself or herself from any such evaluative or supervisory activity in order to eliminate the existing or potential conflict of interest.

Definition

For purposes of this policy, consensual amorous relationships exist when two individuals mutually and consensually understand a relationship to be romantic and/or sexual in nature except when those two individuals are married to each other. Direct evaluative or supervisory authority exists when one participant is personally involved in evaluating, assessing, grading, or otherwise determining the other participant´s academic or employment performance, progress or potential.

Violations

Should a violation of this policy be claimed by a person involved in the consensual amorous relationship, the matter shall be investigated by the appropriate University official or, if that person elects to file a grievance, under the appropriate University grievance procedure. Should any employee or student not involved in the consensual amorous relationship claim to have been adversely affected personally by a violation of this policy, the situation will be investigated by the appropriate University official or, if that person elects to file a grievance, under the appropriate University grievance procedure. A violation of this policy, regardless of the manner in which it is brought to the attention of the University, may lead to disciplinary action as appropriate, up to and including termination of employment in the most serious circumstances, following appropriate processes for such discipline.